EnCoffin Me Chapter 102
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
Chapter 102
The relevant departments of the Federation had been waiting for this trending topic for a long time. Almost the moment it appeared, they began to act methodically.
Alexio had asked before whether Pupil could directly control public opinion, but the answer was disappointing. Under Pupil's control were not only the civilian social platform Pupil, but also many critical projects. Its vast computing power and stable performance as the central core meant it bore many crucial functions for the Federation, making it impossible to dedicate too much energy elsewhere.
Besides, social platforms like Pupil upheld freedom of speech. This trending topic, #Dark Creatures Attack A Human#, was a factual report. Even if the authorities directly removed it, the Holy Temple would only use the opportunity to escalate the incident.
“However, that doesn't mean we can't manipulate things,” Cravenson said, standing beside Alexio in the conservation center's information processing hub. Countless screens flickered before them, and staff were busy tracing the source.
“While it's best not to pull down the trending topic to avoid the other side using it to retaliate, we can dilute this trending topic with bigger news. In this regard, Pupil can openly help us.”
A screen next to Alexio suddenly displayed Pupil's image. A ring of light passed over the planet-sized eye, as if in agreement.
Alexio smiled. “Are you trying to use this to expose some hidden spies of the Holy Temple within the Federation?”
“Exactly, that's what we have in mind. But rest assured, we'll announce an investigation today. The center's investigation team will head to the southeast branch the day after tomorrow. After that, we might have to trouble you.”
It was his duty, so Alexio didn't decline. He stayed at the information hub for a while longer before leaving for home. The lunatic had been leaving early these past few days because he was responsible for packing luggages.
The Pupil platform was now like water poured into boiling oil. Almost everyone was talking about the new trending topic.
【Damn, the video shows the injuries are really severe. How did this happen…】
【I've always known dark creatures could be aggressive, but most of them are pretty friendly, right?】
【Those not of our race must have evil intentions!】
【Is the person upstairs sick? Why are you generalizing by race? So everyone in the Federation who's a different race wants to harm you? Mute yourself!】
【But it can't be denied that the special privileges of dark creatures have been a longstanding issue.】
Alexio slowly scrolled through the comments. The Holy Temple must have prepared well. Among the ordinary people, there were those who weren't sympathetic toward dark creatures. This news triggered quite a lot of negative comments. On the surface, it seemed the Holy Temple's propaganda was going very smoothly.
But that was only temporary. The Federation hadn't gone all out, and the other side likely still had hidden cards.
“What do you think will happen next?” Alexio idly held a fork. “My guess is the injured won't survive.”
Even if the injured didn't die naturally, the Holy Temple would make sure they did. It was a pity for a living person.
“But obviously, the Holy Temple won't expect that we will arrive at the southeast branch the day after tomorrow.” The saint appeared calm. In his view, the Holy Temple no longer had the power and scale it had ten thousand years ago, so dealing with them would be relatively easy. They only needed to guard against the God of Slander. Besides, he was now with Alexio.
For him, the Holy Temple's painstaking schemes were not as important as another matter.
“By the way, Alexi,” he said, “want to try the size?”
“Hm? What size?” Alexio was a bit puzzled.
“I sewed an inner pocket inside the clothes. Try the fit. If it's uncomfortable, we can still adjust it now.”
“……”
“Is something wrong?”
“Nothing. I just suddenly feel a newfound respect for the Holy Temple. Honestly, don't you think developing bridal courses is way more promising than all the trouble they're stirring up?!” Alexio looked frustrated, like someone disappointed by wasted potential.
Painting, cooking, sewing, calligraphy, plus a bit of combat training, graduates of this hunter academy could shine in the parlor and the kitchen, wielding both needles and guns. What a fantastic academy for brides!
The more Alexio thought about it, the more anguished and regretful he became.
While feeling this way, he transformed into a small bat and slipped into the hidden pocket sewn inside the lunatic's clothes. The lunatic had also made some modifications to the outer decoration, so the slight bulge wasn't noticeable. Alexio rolled around inside, finding it soft and fluffy, and was thoroughly satisfied.
He could easily sleep there for a whole day.
“It fits.”
“You can just pretend to be a doll and stay outside. When necessary, you can hide inside.”
Alexio crawled in and out, showing his approval.
The day of their departure came quickly. This information had not been shared with the southeast branch. The main center only told them that an investigation team would be sent. Such speed would likely catch the branch off guard.
Alexio was already curled up inside the lunatic's clothes pocket, scrolling through his lightbrain to read comments. Fueled by bad faith actors, the ‘dark creature attack’ incident grew increasingly heated. Many people left their opinions below, making this perhaps a rare instance where public discourse on dark creatures wasn't entirely positive.
The matter hadn't been deliberately hidden from other dark creatures at the conservation center. Those dark creatures, taught by Alexio, showed a relatively calm attitude toward the negative public opinion. Of course, some felt secretly upset. After all, they had mostly received affection before. But they also clearly understood that the special treatment they once enjoyed was abnormal.
Alexio read silently. This threshold was something they had to cross on their own.
A finger suddenly descended and poked his ear. Alexio flapped his wing to brush away the lunatic's hand and perked his small ear back up, only for the other ear to fall victim. Protecting left side while losing the other, Alexio felt like an unlucky groundhog that got hit every time it popped its head up.
Lucius poked eagerly, still maintaining a calm expression while talking to the staff in the front row to confirm the schedule. Suddenly, he paused, and the staff looked back with some confusion.
“Mr. Lucius?”
Feeling four sharp fangs biting down on his finger, Lucius still kept an expressionless face.
“I just suddenly remembered something. Please continue.”
The aircraft moved swiftly. The staff spoke softly but quickly. As they finished their briefing, the southeast branch soon appeared in Lucius' view. Compared to the warm, friendly tones of the main center, the southeast branch's design was merely a collection of neat and proper buildings, with no dark creatures active outside its perimeter. Before their aircraft fleet arrived, vehicles from the branch had already taken off to meet them. Only after confirming their identities did they allow them to pass.
Alexio had no interest in looking outside. He focused intently on the new trending topic.
#Dark Creature Attack Results in Death#
It had come, the storm planned by Theo and the Holy Temple. The loss of a life weighed heavier than anything. Every time Alexio scrolled the page, a flood of new posts appeared. Some expressed sorrow, others were angry at the dark creatures for being violent and ungrateful, while some reflected on whether dark creatures should have been granted so many privileges.
Alexio's eyes flickered as he stared at the screen. The hand that had bothered him earlier reached into the pocket again and gently stroked his head in a soothing gesture.
It was nothing, just a small incident for Alexio. The hatred dark creatures endured ten thousand years ago was far worse.
【But that hatred was wrong. To hate an entire species is never justified.】The lunatic transmitted these words quietly, still gently stroking his head.【No one is born deserving of hate.】
【Most importantly, you don't deserve hate, Alexi.】
He spoke softly, but his eyes remained fixed outside.
The aircraft landed, and the staff members in the front immediately got out, heading to the back to open the door for the saint. Unexpectedly, the saint pushed the door open himself, gave a slight nod, and took the lead through the crowd. The staff froze for a moment. At that instant, he clearly felt the aura of a leader from ten thousand years ago radiating from the saint.
The southeast branch's staff and some senior members came out to greet them. The main center investigation team had arrived too quickly that some high-ranking officials weren't even present. The remaining senior members, who had been completely corrupted by worms and were loyal to the Holy Temple, were fully aware that the situation was extremely precarious.
They had only just released the news of the death!
Zhen also disembarked with a solemn expression. As someone who enjoyed socializing, the comments on Pupil targeting dark creatures saddened him. Some people even came specifically to ask for his opinion, which left him somewhat at a loss. But while Zhen hesitated, the saint from the neighboring aircraft stepped down. Naturally, he followed closely behind. Watching the saint's cloak billow behind him, Zhen seemed to see Alexio, who always walked ahead of him.
Ah… in some ways, Alexio and Mr. Lucius were quite alike…
Perhaps because they both possessed unwavering courage.
Having witnessed that courage, Zhen felt inspired. Adopting his most solemn expression, he resolved to handle this matter properly.
The saint stopped in front of the southeast branch's leader. Draped in a pure white half-cape edged with gold reminiscent of ten thousand years past, he stood taller than the other man, making the leader instinctively lower his head.
Lucius lowered his eyes, staring directly at the leader whose smile was gradually stiffening. The Holy Temple had taught him how to earn faith among the people and how to face dignitaries, always adopting the most appropriate demeanor in any situation.
Just like he was doing now.
“It seems we've arrived just in time,” he said quietly. “Originally, the main center only planned to review the living conditions of the dark creatures in your branch. Now, I believe we must extend our stay to address a recent social incident.
“I trust the branch does not want the reputation of the dark creatures to be damaged.”
The saint raised his hand toward the leader.
“Let us work together.”
What else could the leader say? He awkwardly smiled and reached out to shake the saint's hand—
But the saint withdrew his hand and casually flicked nonexistent dust off the edge of his cloak. It turned out his raised hand wasn't meant for a friendly handshake. The leader could only awkwardly retract his hand.
“By the way,” the saint suddenly said, his words tightening the leader's chest.
“We've brought some gifts to show the close and friendly relationship between the main center and the branch.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, plush black bat, squeezing its belly, which looked incredibly fluffy and springy.
“Cute, right? We've brought enough of these to fill an entire aircraft. Hopefully, everyone here can have one.”
Not supplies? The main center was usually generous with its branches, so the leader, who had been expecting a fresh batch of materials to pass on to the Holy Temple, felt somewhat disappointed.
“…Thank you… main center?”
“You're welcome. Shall we process the transfer of payment?”
“???”
“For the design fee to the designer, Sparrow Nesting in Thorns. The copyright belongs to them, so each one requires payment.”
“……”